NZ man planning manure protest told to stay away from Prince Charles

November 13, 2012|Reuters

WELLINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - A New Zealand court orderedan anti-monarchist on Tuesday to stay away from Britain's PrinceCharles and his wife Camilla after he was charged with planningto throw horse manure at the visiting royal couple.

Sam Bracanov, a 76-year-old with a history of protestagainst the British royal family, pleaded not guilty topreparing to commit a crime, a day after he was arrested inAuckland. The royal couple had not yet arrived in New Zealand'slargest city.

Bracanov was ordered to stay at least 500 metres (550 yards) away from the royal couple as part of his bail conditions. Hewas ordered to re-appear at the Auckland District Court laterthis month.

Sitting outside the courthouse, Bracanov said he would havethrown the manure at Charles, the longest serving heir to theBritish throne, and his wife had he not been arrested.

"I make it liquid like porridge," he told reporters. "Iwould have done it."

Bracanov has used sweeter-smelling ways to express hisanti-royalist feelings in the past. He was convicted and finedfor spraying air fresheners at Prince Charles to "remove thestink of royalty" during a previous visit to Auckland in 1994.

A smattering of anti-royalists have heckled the royal coupleduring their six-day visit to New Zealand.

Others have been miffed by Prime Minister John Key'sconfirmation that New Zealand, a member of the BritishCommonwealth, would foot the bill for Camilla's travellinghairdresser.

But New Zealanders are generally staunch supporters of themonarchy. A poll conducted by Television New Zealand before theroyal couple arrived last week showed 70 percent of respondentswant to keep Queen Elizabeth as head of state.

Prince Charles and Camilla have been touring Australia andNew Zealand as part of the celebrations to mark QueenElizabeth's 60 years on the throne.